Fundamental steps to obtain residency in Costa Rica:

First: analysis of tie or root with Costa Rica

In order to obtain residency in Costa Rica, as in all countries of the world, it is necessary to form a tie or root with the country.

What can be considered as a tie or root?

Any link with the country that is recognized by the migration law 8764 and its regulations can be the basis of a residency application. For example, a person can say that his/her child born in Costa Rica is his/her tie or root, another person considers his/her marriage with a Costa Rican person as a tie or root, another person is in Costa Rica for his/her studies or volunteer work. Someone may consider their investment, labor contract or independent economic income as tie or root as basis for requesting a type of residency authorized under Costa Rican immigration law.

Second: analysis of the legal migratory option according to the roots or ties.

After the person knows or builds the necessary roots or ties, he/she must look for the migration options (migration categories) which best benefits him/her or has the least disadvantages.

Third: requirements

At this stage the foreigner would need to know the requirements to obtain the desired residency. All subcategories of residency have some similar requirements. Also, there are requirements that are unique and specific to each subcategory. It is necessary to distinguish

them, to know them, and to prepare them well in form and substance.

Fourth: Presentation of the file

Each file has its own way to be presented; even if they seem to be the same, but in details each file has its unique characteristics that make it different from others.

It is necessary to know where to submit each file and application to the competent department and the way that best suits the objectives of the person concerned.

Fifth: follow-up

It is very important that the file submitted is not left forgotten. The interested person or attorney should, depending on the request and details of the file, do follow up on the request some various times.

Sixth: receiving the notification

By law it is an indispensable requirement to provide a means of notification at the time of submission of the application for residency. After the necessary time and after the corresponding follow-ups, the interested person or his attorney must receive a notification of the decision from the competent department or entity of the General Directorate of Immigration of Costa Rica.

Seventh: Documentation

If the answer is approval, it is necessary to proceed with the Documentation process, schedule the corresponding appointment, attend the appointment with complete documents and finalize the steps to follow until receiving the final document called DIMEX (Cédula).